Wednesday 24 October 2012 04.04 EDT
First published on Wednesday 24 October 2012 04.04 EDT

Tropical storm Sandy is expected to become a hurricane as it approaches the south coast of Jamaica, the US National Hurricane Centre said, prompting authorities to close schools and prepare shelters to take in residents of flood-prone areas.

Howling winds and driving rain buffeted the Caribbean island on Wednesday and a hurricane warning was in effect for both Jamaica and Cuba, although forecasters said Sandy was expected to be only a weak category one hurricane, with winds topping out at 80mph (128km/h).

Computer models showed Sandy was on a projected path that would cut across the middle of Jamaica near the capital, Kingston, and the popular north coast resort of Ocho Rios, before passing over eastern Cuba and the Bahamas.

Jamaica's international airports prepared to close, cruise ships changed their itineraries and police ordered 48-hour curfews in major towns to keep people off the streets and deter looting as the late-season storm was expected to rake the island from south to north from midday.

The 18th named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season was forecast to pass over or near Jamaica and then spin on into eastern Cuba by Wednesday evening.

Across Jamaica, curfews were imposed in rough slums and business centres, including the New Kingston financial district and the resort town of Montego Bay.

To deter looters and other criminals, Deputy Police Commissioner Glenmore Hinds warned police would "react swiftly to protect life and property". Outside its placid tourist resorts, the island has long struggled with high crime and gang violence.

Dangerous flash floods and mudslides set off by Sandy were a threat for the island of roughly 2.7 million inhabitants, Jamaica's meteorological service said.

In the hilly community of Kintyre, near Kingston, resident Sharon Gayle expected to lose the town's bridge over the Hope River, which washed away a section of the span three weeks ago during a heavy downpour.

"We've gotten cut off here a whole heap of times. But with a big nasty hurricane on the way, I'm really nervous. We're trying not to show it in front of the children though," she said, huddling under a sopping towel as she stared at the rising river.

The storm was predicted to drop as much as 10ins (25cm) of rain, especially over central and eastern parts of Jamaica, the country's meteorological service said. Some isolated spots could see as much as 20ins (50cm), according to US forecasters. Battering waves and a strong storm surge were also forecast.

Kingston's airport was set to close at 7am EDT (11am GMT) on Wednesday, while Montego Bay's airport planned to shut at 9am. Royal Caribbean Cruises announced its Allure of the Seas cruise ship would not stop at Jamaica's northern Falmouth terminal on Wednesday and instead remain at sea.

In Cuba, authorities issued a hurricane watch for several provinces and there were intermittent rains over Haiti, where a tropical storm warning was in effect. A tropical storm watch was also posted for parts of the Bahamas, where the storm was predicted to pass on Thursday.

Although Florida was not expected to receive any direct impact from Sandy, Brian Koon, director of the state's emergency management division, said residents should take precautions to keep themselves safe from indirect impacts, including rip currents.

Early on Wednesday, Sandy had maximum sustained winds of 65mph (105km/h) and was centred 160 miles (260km) south of Kingston. It was moving north-northeast at 10mph (17km/h).